As KLMHA is governed by the NOHA (Northern Ontario Hockey Association), with their recent motion to require proof of COVID-19 immunization for all eligible participants, we wanted to acknowledge a few different things around hockey this season, as of September 9th, 2021. 

Please know that we respect everyone’s point of view and personal decisions. As we are all volunteers, here to help everyone manoeuvre through the policies passed down to us, we do ask that you communicate with respect in kindness. If you have more questions about anything below or others, please don’t hesitate to email us klmha@live.ca. 

 

WHO IS CONSIDERED “ELIGIBLE PARTICIPANTS” THAT REQUIRE PROOF OF IMMUNIZATION? 

All players, team officials (coaches, team managers, bench staff), on-ice officials, staff and volunteers, including board members and executives that are 12 years of age or older. At the time of writing this, spectators/parents/guardians accompanying players and not in a role noted above are not required to provide proof of immunization. You can read the full NOHA Vaccination Policy here.

 

WHEN MUST PROOF BE PROVIDED?

Eligible participants are required to be fully vaccinated by October 31, 2021. Due to the timelines involved in receiving the first and second dose, as well as the 14-day waiting period in order to be fully vaccinated, individuals who are not presently vaccinated will require their first dose by September 17, 2021. 

 

WHAT SHOULD I DO IF I AM AN ELIGIBLE PARTICIPANT WHO WILL NOT BE VACCINATED BY THE DEADLINE?

We respect your choices and have the following refund policy in place for those who will not qualify to participate: 

  1. Refunds up to and including September 12th: the full amount 
  2. Refunds between September 13th and September 30th: the full amount minus an administration fee of $50
  3. Refunds between October 1st and December 31st: the full amount minus an administration fee of $75. 

No late charges/fees will be refunded at any point.

Withdrawal of player registration: To withdrawer your registration, please email klmha@live.ca. Please include “withdraw” in the subject line so we can easily identify the request and give it proper priority. 

Withdrawal of coaching/bench staff position and/or board member position: To withdrawer from any of these positions, we ask that you notify us by September 12th via email klmha@live.ca. Please include “withdraw” in the subject line so we can easily identify the request and give it proper priority. Our rules require official notice this way so that we can move to figure out how to proceed and fill your positions.

 

WHAT WILL HOCKEY LOOK LIKE THIS SEASON?

We are happy to share the following updates that are in place, as of today:

  • 5 on 5 hockey games are back.
  • We will have tournaments, game days and jamborees. Check out our Important Dates page for already planned events – more to be added as teams select and register for their own tournaments: klmha.ca/important-dates. 
  • Gold Miners will be on ice with U7/Timbits whenever available.

 

WHAT DO I NEED TO GET READY FOR PRACTICES?

  1. If it’s your first year with KLMHA, ensure you complete the Respect in Sport Parent Program online (mandatory before your player can hit the ice).
  2. Gear – full list of what you need is here.
  3. Download and set up TeamSnap, where schedules, games and important updates are communicated.
  4. Complete the Complex’s COVID-19 screening before you enter the complex, for each practice/game – the link can be found at the top of our website: klmha.ca
  5. Stay tuned for the updates to the KLMHA “return to hockey plan” which details protocols to follow at the Complex. We are actively working with the town to finalize these details before practices start.

 

WHAT IS THE PRACTICE SCHEDULE?

In order for us to finalize the schedule, we need to wait until registration closes so we know how many players we have, thus how many teams we have to plan practices for. With the new immunization policy and the potential for changes in players and volunteers, we hope to have the schedule posted September 12th, which is why it’s so important that eligible participants confirm their registration/roles before then. 

 

As we plan and move through this hockey season, in an active pandemic, we hope to keep everyone as informed as we can.  Everyone’s top priority will be the safety of all our participants and all decisions will be made based on Health Authorities and our governing bodies recommendations and directions. While we, as an association, will not be making these decisions, our goal will be to provide our families with a season that is as structured and fun as possible while focusing on our players skill development.

Thank you for your patience and respect as we all work together to keep our kids on the ice.